(Note: In yesterday’s Blog I wrote about “evil” and the Fall
according to Genesis. Today I continue with “after the Flood” when the
only survivors on Earth were those on the Ark.)

Genesis 8:20-21

20. Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all
the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on
it.

21. The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart:
"Never again will I curse the ground because of man [human
beings], even though every inclination of his heart is evil from
childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as
I have done. [Emphasis mine]

Today people use the Bible and passages such as this one to
rationalize the consumption of animal products. I even had someone try
to use the first part of Genesis 8:21 (see above) as an excuse for
eating animals. They claimed that God likes the smell of burning animal
flesh. I got the Bible out and said, “Let's read the rest of that
passage.” Then I read aloud the complete verse and I said, “See,
according to this passage, you and I [human beings] are evil!”

We humans have a choice. We can reach upward toward perfection and
try to live by a higher standard, as Jesus instructs us in Matthew 5:48:

Matthew 5:48

48. Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

NIV

We don’t have to wallow in past mistakes. We don’t have to use
“tradition” and “culture” as excuses to continue in a downward spiral.
At one time people were cannibals. That was “tradition” or “culture,”
too. And what about slavery? People used the Bible to rationalize human
slavery.

Tomorrow’s Blog will discuss “cheap grace.”

Note: Before closing, I want to mention that today is the 250th
anniversary of the birth of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart who was born in
Salzburg, Austria January 27, 1756. He died in Vienna December 5, 1791.

"Joyful Curmudgeon"
An oxymoron?
No! I see all the beauty of God's creation and I'm joyful. At the
same time, I see all the suffering and corruption going on in the
world, and feel called to help expose and end it so that we may have true
peace and compassion.